AUTHOR ARCHIVES

Eric Katz

Eric Katz writes about federal agency operations and management. His deep coverage of Veterans Affairs, Homeland Security, the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Postal Service has earned him frequent guest spots on national radio and television news programs. Eric joined Government Executive in the summer of 2012 and previously worked for The Financial Times. He is a graduate of The George Washington University.

April 13, 2017
The Veterans Affairs Department has for the second time in two days replaced the director of its medical facility in Washington, D.C., following a devastating report faulting the center for “serious and troubling deficiencies.” VA on Wednesday immediately relieved the medical center director, Brian Hawkins, of his duties, replacing him...

April 12, 2017
Lawmakers have a little more than two weeks to reach an agreement on how to fund government and avoid a shutdown, though President Trump’s budget director is shrugging off such an outcome as inconsequential. Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney advocated for a government shutdown as “good policy”...

April 12, 2017
The Trump administration announced its hiring freeze will end Wednesday, while delivering to agencies promised guidance on how they should reduce the size of their workforces in both the near and long term. Trump’s hiring freeze, which went into effect Jan. 23, lasted 79 days, with the Office of Management...

April 11, 2017
The Trump administration announced its hiring freeze will end Wednesday, while delivering to agencies promised guidance on how they should reduce the size of their workforces in both the near and long term. Trump’s hiring freeze, which went into effect Jan. 23, lasted 79 days, with the Office of Management...

April 11, 2017
Civilian federal employees would receive an across-the-board 1.9 percent pay raise next year under President Trump’s forthcoming proposal, Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney confirmed Tuesday. The increase would be slightly less than the 2.1 percent raise feds received in 2017, though it would eclipse the 1.6 percent...

April 11, 2017
President Trump’s new office aimed at reforming the federal government held its first formal meeting on Tuesday, with the White House hearing ideas from private sector leaders on improving agencies' performance. Several members of his cabinet, including Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney, and CEOs from more than...

April 11, 2017
The federal government’s internal auditor is commencing a review of President Trump’s transition into office, examining potential conflicts of interest, contacts with foreign government and funding sources. The Government Accountability Office is launching the review after Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., requested it. GAO will determine...

April 10, 2017
The Trump administration is beginning to follow through on its promise to shrink the footprint and mission of the Environmental Protection Agency, eliminating an office and looking to rein in its regulatory agenda. EPA is shuttering its climate adaptation headquarters office, saying its responsibilities can be carried out at the...

April 7, 2017
As Republicans in Congress have used their authority to unwind about a dozen Obama-era regulations, some in the majority party are now looking to ensure one rule from the former president is permanently added to federal law. A bicameral, bipartisan group of lawmakers is pushing to codify an Obama regulation...

April 6, 2017
The federal government’s chief auditor is determining whether it will assess the costs and pitfalls of President Trump’s federal hiring freeze following a request for the investigation from two Democratic senators. The Government Accountability Office should examine savings or losses from the freeze, the impact of the freeze on agencies’...